Wheel polishing media recommendations please...

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GRNSHRK
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Wheel polishing media recommendations please...

Post by GRNSHRK »

Gents, I will be taking the Throwing Stars off to get the centers repainted (more on that later :wink: ) and will be polishing the rims while they are off =D>

They are already polished, so this will be more of a "cleanup" process as I don't have to remove much material [-o<

Looking for recommendations on polishing media that you guys have successfully used [-o<

I have a few, but nothing that's actually intended for this purpose, like Mother's or other known brands :-k

Thanks in advance \:D/
:mrgreen:
Bobbo
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bpoliakoff
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Re: Wheel polishing media recommendations please...

Post by bpoliakoff »

Check out Mother's products at any chain parts store. You don't need anything heavy duty to clean them up. O'Reilly's and Auto Zone both should have it, Auto Zone for sure
81 Euro 635 M90 with motronic. Currently under a complete nut and bolt restoration. Pictures at
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olympia57
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Re: Wheel polishing media recommendations please...

Post by olympia57 »

Bobbo ,If your wheels have already been polished then then you really only want to remove the oxidisation on the surface and then bring up the shine again.
I've polished many a wheel plus components and use what's known as mops and soap.
The mops are used with a power drill and the soap ( polish ) is loaded onto the spinning mop .
There are many types of mops , for different polishing stages ,but the laminated woven cloth one is best for gentle re finishing.
Like these .
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MIRROR-FINIS ... SwkNZUdcWc
The soap /polish bars are coloured for different stages . They should conform to a uniform colour grading but don't always so ensure you establish that any kit has final stage finishing ones included .
The mops last forever , I think mine will be nigh on 30 years old , and the soap/polish just about the same , you do not use much.
They normally come with a mandril but I insert a domed bolt and nut instead which lessens the chance of any damage to the polished surface .
I do my wheels in spring and the difference is always very noticeable even though they don't get much hard use , I wouldn't do them any other way.
Once mopped I give a final hand polish with this .
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Autosol-Solv ... xyBjBTR8Kj
Which just gives that final glorious gleam . :D
These products are for UK market but you'll have equivelant products over there .
Good luck
Don
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jps635
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Re: Wheel polishing media recommendations please...

Post by jps635 »

I also use the Autosol - just apply by hand using bare fingers or latex gloves

Once I have a good shine I then apply a 2-3 coats of Poorboys https://www.poorboysworld.co.uk/shop/po ... l-sealant/

I tried using the mops as Don mentioned, but gave that away as the paint on the centres will burnish if the comes in contact.

Whatever method you use, polishing around hose bolts is a pain
'85 635csi JPS (RA2-66)
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Re: Wheel polishing media recommendations please...

Post by GRNSHRK »

Thanks for the tips gents, never seen those mops before :shock:

I do recall seeing Autosol but don't recall where, or when, could have been ages ago :roll:

I do have a Mother's Mini Power Ball, which also attaches to a power drill, probably gonna try that [-o<

And it looks like my wheel project just got sidelined for a bit, as I may have to more the 6er out of her garage space so that the missus can sort through the few dozen containers of Christmas decorations I brought down from the attic :-({|=

Sheesh, I should take a picture ](*,)
:mrgreen:
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Re: Wheel polishing media recommendations please...

Post by Slownrusty »

I used to re-finish and rebuild wheels as a side gig and have done dozens of sets for friends and my own cars .

Firstly this is a seriously labor intensive project that is also dirty. You will need a mask and googles (almost like you're suiting up for Covid!) plus a cap to prevent the dust getting into your hair.

To do it properly is a three (3) step process that requires the use of various clay bricks and a buffing wheels on a bench or a powerful hand grinder.

Step 1: will be a medium to coarse clay compound depending on scratches and imperfections

Step 2: will be a fine clay compound for near mirror finish

Step 3: will be the final mirror polish with a good liquid metal polishing product.

I finished these BBS RC090s for my car, it took 8 hours per wheel

Before:
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bpoliakoff
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Re: Wheel polishing media recommendations please...

Post by bpoliakoff »

I disassembled my wheels for restoration. Had all the hardware chromed at a $1.35 per and the wheels polished by a professional polisher at $45 each. It sure beats spending 8n hours a wheel. Not really necessary to chrome the hardware, that was just the look I wanted. If you go that way, torque on the bolts should be 20#s
81 Euro 635 M90 with motronic. Currently under a complete nut and bolt restoration. Pictures at
flickr.com/photos/bertsphotos.
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Re: Wheel polishing media recommendations please...

Post by GRNSHRK »

Well, here's a sneak peak of how they look, the covers have more metallic in them than they appear in the pix :-?

Still need to do more prep under there, and waiting on adhesive for those pricey old school Motorsport emblems :roll:

More to follow [-o<
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:mrgreen:
Bobbo
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Re: Wheel polishing media recommendations please...

Post by bpoliakoff »

NICE !!!!
81 Euro 635 M90 with motronic. Currently under a complete nut and bolt restoration. Pictures at
flickr.com/photos/bertsphotos.
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Da_Hose
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Re: Wheel polishing media recommendations please...

Post by Da_Hose »

Those look great, Bobbo! What brand/type of adhesive are you going with?

Jose
1987 M6 - My dream car
GRNSHRK
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Re: Wheel polishing media recommendations please...

Post by GRNSHRK »

Thanks Jose =D>

I ordered 3M emblem adhesive, P/N 08061 :-"

The last thing I want to see is them missing after a spirited drive [-X

This adhesive was recommended by the seller of the emblems \:D/

Can't wait to get the wheels back on, right after I clean up those rusty rotors :roll:
:mrgreen:
Bobbo
1980 633 CSi Cypress Green/Pearl Beige
2017 X5 M Sport Xdrive 35i Carbon Black/Ivory White
2005 330 Ci ZHP Cabrio Imola Red/Bone/Black
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